when u find a max and min point u derivate and set to zero then u put it on second derivate and se if its possitive i think its a min point and if its negative its max. wait for some1 to confirme im kinda tired so i can write wrong <.<

Yes, to find potential extrema, you equate the first derivative to zero and solve for x to get the critical number(s).

Then, evaluate the second derivative at these critical number(s), and if the result is positive you have a relative minimum, if it is negative you have a relative maximum, and if it is zero then there is no extremum at that point.

Nov 24th 2012, 06:01 PM

Prove It

Re: Having problems finding a value for X using derivatives.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkFL2

Yes, to find potential extrema, you equate the first derivative to zero and solve for x to get the critical number(s).

Then, evaluate the second derivative at these critical number(s), and if the result is positive you have a relative minimum, if it is negative you have a relative maximum, and if it is zero then there is no extremum at that point.

And to evaluate the minimum VALUE, substitute this critical number back into the original equation.